I write this review as part of Rosie’s Book Review Team. Thanks to Rosie Amber and to the author for offering me an ARC copy of this book that I freely chose to review.

This is a book based on a real case (although so many years later and with the few documents and written clues available it is difficult to know what might have been ‘real’ and ‘true’ at the time) that has all the elements to be a fabulous novel, or a TV investigative documentary, or a movie. You can check the Werewolf of Bedburg and you’ll find a lot of information (or rather, a bit of information elaborated upon and repeated everywhere, but not many different sources). It’s easy to understand why the…

I like this author’s style of writing; In a Gilded Cage is a compact, detailed read that need a lot of concentration but is so worth it. And, as in Queen of Trial and Sorrow it is obvious that the author has research in great detail has preceded the writing of this book. It is an enthralling read of the time and the two countries.;the sense of the politics and machinations, threaded throughout reveal the tumult that the characters live through

Told in first person point of view from Elisabeth Empress of Austria The reader lives through all the emotions the protagonist feels: the uncertainties, the ,contentment, the wretchedness, the distress,the love. It’s easy to empathise with the changes in ‘Sisi’s’ life.

Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher is a young adult book which deals with a disturbing case of teenage suicide. This book has recently celebrated its 10th anniversary and has been made into a series by Netflix.

Teenager Clay Jensen returns home to find a mystery package on his doorstep. It contains old style cassette tapes from a girl at school, rumoured to have committed suicide. Intrigued, Clay begins to listen, then he is reminded of a map of the town which mysteriously arrived in his school locker.

Hannah’s reasons for creating the tapes have Clay criss-crossing town as we hear about the decisions others made which, she felt, which left her alone, hurt and eventually suicidal. The author chose to write the book using dual narration: Hannah’s voice on the tapes and Clay’s immediate response to points…

BLISSFUL TRAGEDYAmbitious 22-year-old Lexie Waters is intent on taking the advertising world by storm. When she’s offered the soon to be open position she’s been vying for at a swanky advertising agency, there’s only one last summer separating her from dreams of corporate success. Still bitter from catching her boyfriend cheating, she heads out for a night of fun to see her favorite band, Devil’s Garden, but fun turns into utter embarrassment when she insults the enticingly confident lead singer, Van Sinclair. Van is intrigued by Lexie’s ability to resist his charm and secretly obtains her cell number. Shocked but eager to get to know this captivating rocker, Lexie accepts Van’s invitation to see his next show, which requires an overnight stay. The overwhelming feelings that follow take them both by surprise, and with two months left before starting her sought after new position, Lexie joins the tour. As she’s catapulted into the world of groupies and wild parties, she questions Van’s commitment to her. So what happens at summer’s end when time runs out?

Career-driven Ali Whitman, never dreamed of having one, until she finds herself waking up next to a handsome tattooed man she knows nothing about. After celebrating her promotion to field reporter at Entertainment Rocks! magazine, she breaks her number one rule – to focus on work without the distraction of the opposite sex.

Rules.

Tyler Young lives by his own set. As bassist for Devil’s Garden, he exudes sexual energy and lives for the moment; no strings attached, no regrets, and no looking back.

When the two are brought face to face during an interview it goes sour, sparking a string of disasters. As their feelings for each other grow, they find themselves living by a new set of rules, but demons from the past haunt their new found love. Is it possible to crawl from the ashes of the aftermath or will it all go down in flames?

Small town real estate agent Holly Clifford is counting the seconds until she pays off the debt incurred from caring for her sick mother and can move out of Hilldale Vermont forever. After forfeiting her college scholarship to law school to be at her mother’s side, she obtained her real estate license and took a position at Trust Reality. Nick Shaw is on the path to victory. As a high school football hero turned rookie star wide receiver of the newest NFL team, the Iowa Talons, success is all he knows. But sometimes there’s things fame and money can’t buy. When Nick returns to Hilldale, he puts an offer on a lakeside mansion up for sale by Trust Reality and turns Holly’s life upside down. Can she stay on track and resist Nick’s charm or will she be blitzed by Hilldale’s football hero this Christmas?

Straight-laced 19-year-old Brooke Powers has two goals: First, avoid the party scene and all the drama and disaster that go along with it. Second, focus on attaining her Marketing and Business degrees. When her roommate begs her to attend a fraternity party she reluctantly obliges, but gets more than she bargained for when she meets enticingly charismatic fraternity brother, Dean Parker. After a mishap causes her to wake up in the worst possible place she can imagine, she vows to stay away from anything or anyone fraternity related. Staying away from Dean is a daily battle, one she’s slowly losing. When her feelings conjure up old demons from the past, her strategically planned future turns into chaos. Brooke is desperate to keep herself on track. Will Dean be her downfall or is he exactly what she needs?Valentine’s Day isn’t always complete bliss.

Romance author by night, pharmacist by day, Amy Gale loves rock music and the feel of sand between her toes. She attended Wilkes University where she graduated with a Doctor of Pharmacy degree. In addition to writing, she enjoys baking, scary movies, rock concerts, and reading books at the beach. She lives in the lush forest of Northeastern Pennsylvania with her husband, six cats, and golden retriever.

☆¸.•*¨*★☆The Collective ☆¸.•*¨*★☆

Learning to Breathe is now LIVE!!!

Learning to Breathe – A second chance at love story

★☆ Buy Link ★☆

★☆ BLURB ★☆

WORK. EAT. SLEEP. REPEAT.

Since her husband’s death, Sally Levenson’s life has become dull and monotonous. She’s the county Coroner, and while the dead reveal their secrets on the exam table, she hides from the living. But hiding isn’t working anymore. Sally is trapped in a bland, colorless existence. She can’t breathe! She’s suffocating and wants more, whatever that might be.

When the dark and mysterious Derek Lemark enters her world, he opens doors to new possibilities, reveals dark desires, and challenges her to take a second chance on life. He dares her to breathe again, and promises…more. But what he offers comes at a price.

Sally must choose: take the next step, or speak the one word which will end everything before it even begins.

☆¸.•*¨*★☆ Bonus Content ALERT! A newsletter mini-series will unfold in The Collective Newsletter. To see how the story unfolds you must sign up for the newsletter. ☆¸.•*¨*★☆

“You know that book that you are all into and you can’t turn the pages fast enough? That is this book.” – Amazon Reviewer

“Have you ever experienced grief? Grief so tremendous it paralyzed you in fear at the thought of moving on? Living day to day going through the motions but knowing there had to be something more? In Learning to Breathe, Ellie Masters tells the captivating story of Sally, a woman who has suffered great loss and has hidden herself from the world, her feelings, and life – and Derek, a confident, rich man who knows exactly what and who he wants. Derek opens Sally’s eyes to new, exciting, sexy and unconventional things. Their relationship taps into passion and hidden desires deep within Sally that she never knew existed. But it all comes at a cost. Will she choose this new life that brings her great pleasure or retreat once again to the familiar, safe, mundane, and unimaginative life she led before? As part of The Collective, Ellie has written a beautiful story with strong characters. I loved this story –a definite must read.” – Amazon reviewer

★☆ Excerpt★☆

The light streaming in from the hallway dimmed and a man’s chuckle drifted to her ears. It did strange things to her insides. Yummy things.

She spun around. “Derek!”

He spread his arms out, welcoming her into his embrace, and his expression was one of wonderment. “My God, you’re stunning.”

Heat filled her cheeks. She was hoping for a good but stunning would do. Then she smiled, shifting her eyes down and to the left. She couldn’t look at him and speak at the same time.

“You look pretty amazing too.” But she did peek, lifting her gaze up to take him in.

Decked out in a tuxedo, the immaculate suit barely contained his muscular frame. Crisp and pressed, the bow tie wrapped snuggly around his neck. He carried himself with ease, as if he’d been born in the elegant attire. Incredibly brilliant blue eyes flashed with mischief.

“You’re staring, Miss Levenson.”

And she was. She couldn’t help herself. He was a magnet, an irresistible force she couldn’t resist, but his words had her lowering her eyes again, as if she didn’t dare stare upon his brilliance.

“Don’t make fun of me,” she said.

He closed the distance, and placed one finger under her chin. Lifting, he forced her to meet his eyes. “I’m not laughing, my dear. I’m simply enjoying the fact I’m not the only one caught breathless. I’ve missed you.”

Derek placed his hands on her bare shoulders, steadying her in the too high heels. Two glasses of wine shouldn’t have her weaving on her feet. Or was that him making her weak in the knees?

He took her lips, smothering her in a kiss, taking her breath, and making it his. Her tiny gasp gave him the opening he needed to slip his tongue inside, and like any other invader, he plundered and ravaged, taking what he desired. She bent before him, conquered by his power and more than willing to sacrifice herself to his need.

Tracing the hardened muscle under his tuxedo became her sole purpose in life. As wonderfully intoxicating as the kiss was, it frightened her because of how uninhibited her response was. It didn’t make sense. While the rational side of her brain said slow down, her hand fluttered, and her fingers gripped the buttons of his shirt, pulling him closer rather than pushing him away.

This was what she wanted. Right? Unrestrained passion? But, she needed to play a little hard to get. Otherwise? How would he ever respect her?

Derek groaned, a deep throaty rumble of desire. The noise made her heart race, or maybe it was the kiss. His tongue darted around her mouth, teasing and tasting. He nibbled her lower lip, eliciting a moan from her, and sucked it into his mouth.

Wine had nothing to do with her knees giving way. Derek wrapped an arm around her waist and held her against him, making her feel safe. He didn’t even break the kiss, continuing the pillage of her mouth. Damn, he had this kissing thing down.

★☆ The Collective★☆

“This crossover series is a huge win for all the authors involved. Don’t miss any of the releases. Each book will pull you in, leave you wanting more while you teeter on the edge of your seat with suspense.” AmazonReviewer

We’ve set the stage, created the characters, and fashioned a world full of twists and turns. Now it’s your turn to sit back and immerse yourself in this incredible series. Each episode weaves the characters and storylines of five standalone novels together to give you an epic crossover series. We’ve left you breadcrumbs, tidbits of information intertwined throughout our stories. Can you find them? Can you collect the clues we’ve left behind? Will you become part of The Collective and help solve the case?

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